Veteran military medics could soon administer medications to patients at certain Massachusetts hospitals under a proposal by Gov. Maura Healey.
On the eve of Veterans Day, the governor revealed plans to advance new regulations to create a pathway for military medics to work in civilian health care settings, applying their training and experience.
“Military medics have some of the most extensive training and experience in health care, often serving under incredibly challenging circumstances,” Healey said in a statement. “But when they return home, too many face barriers to putting those skills to work.”
“We need to change that,” she added. “This program will create new career opportunities for veterans while supporting the hospitals and patients who can benefit from their skills and expertise.”
The proposed regulations seek a pilot program for 10 eligible veterans at hospitals licensed by the state Department of Public Health. The initiative would look into ways for the selected participants to apply their training to what the administration describes as “certain medication administration activities.”
Healey is looking to craft the program without changing professional licensing or scope-of-practice requirements.
If approved, the state Executive Office of Veterans Services would then assess how military medical experience translates to civilian health care, helping hospitals recruit and retain skilled workers.
The veterans office and the Department of Public Health announced the proposed initiative, dubbed ‘Military to Medicine,’ at a Public Health Council meeting on Tuesday. Officials say the program could help cut into the state’s health care workforce shortage.
“Military medics have proven they can deliver high-quality care under pressure,” Veterans Services Secretary Eric Goralnick said in a statement. “Military to Medicine is a novel program that builds on a proven Veterans Health Administration model to turn that experience into civilian health care careers.
“Our veterans’ clinical training, teamwork, and commitment to service can help address our health care workforce shortage,” Goralnick added, “and keep Massachusetts hospitals leading on the global stage.”
Officials say despite thousands of military service members transitioning to civilian life, including medics and hospital corpsmen with training and hands-on experience, their backgrounds do not “automatically qualify them for comparable … roles.”
Because of that, veterans often have to pursue additional credentials or seek work outside the medical field.
“Combat medics and Corpsmen bring skill, judgment and leadership honed in the most demanding environments imaginable,” Home Base Executive Director Jack Hammond said in a statement, “and Massachusetts needs more skilled health care providers in every setting.”
Cities and towns across Massachusetts will commemorate Veterans Day on Wednesday with parades, remembrance ceremonies and luncheons. At the State House, state leaders will gather with veteran advocates, military officials and others for a wreath-laying ceremony at 10 a.m.
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